Mike Anderson commits sin against coaching code

Posted on: June 17, 2011 5:42 pm

Edited on: June 17, 2011 6:26 pm

By Matt Norlander

Every coach knows the code. If a player asks to be released from his team and his scholarship, you do it. As a coach, you have control over a lot of aspects of your players' lives from the time they step on campus until the time they graduate or leave for one reason or another. Leaving is the key component, though. Whenever that comes, that's on the player to decide, so long as he's not violating team rules, under-performing or acting delinquently.

Dictating whether a player has to stay at the school is one of the few areas where said player should hold the power.

Rotnei Clarke repeatedly asked for, and was not given, his official release from Arkansas by new coach Mike Anderson, according to Jeff Goodman's story. Clarke, the Razorbacks' leading scorer last season, attended Arkansas because John Pelphrey recruited him there a few years ago. He doesn't jell with Anderson's rip-and-run system.

Clarke is not a rogue defector, either. Jeff Peterson was allowed to sign paperwork that enabled him to transfer to another school. Glenn Bryant also wanted -- and got -- his transfer from the program. There's something about Anderson and his system that a lot of in-house guys don't like. We're talking to seniors that are leaving to get one more year in of hoops at a place where they think they'll get more out of themselves than Anderson's way at Arkansas. All transfers will have to sit out and wait until the 2012-13 season to play.

Clarke, one of the best shooters in college basketball, originally tried to leave before Bryant did but was asked to sleep on it -- for two months. He still wants out. It's his right to leave. There is no pre-existing relationship to patch up; only a fractured, once-polite philosophical disagreement between star player and incoming coach.

Why is Anderson being so stubborn and thinking he can keep a kid on campus who won't be happy there? What coach wants to bring that dynamic into his locker room after dragging it along in the offseason?

Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long is on the hook here, too; he has the power to grant Clarke his release and supersede Anderson. He's sided with his new coach, as both men are hoping Clarke succumbs to the college basketball equivalent of Stockholm Syndrome, something that has happened with teams before. Rarely are player and program better for it.

Anderson has no real excuse here. The reason for Clarke wanting to leave is irrelevant. If he wants out -- and his father is in full support of this move, too -- then he should be let out. This blog post shouldn't be happening. Mike Anderson, give up the Clarke ghost. The new Hogs coach should be thrilled that Pelphrey's impressive 2011 class remained on board when he got the job in March. He somehow convinced all the freshmen to stay, according to Goodman's story.

Clarke, according to sources, isn't the only one Anderson hasn't allowed to explore other opportunities.

Two members of Arkansas' highly regarded recruiting class -- which was assembled by former coach John Pelphrey and his coaching staff -- both asked Anderson for their release.

That reflects badly already on Anderson, a successful coach in his five season at Missouri and four seasons before that at UAB. Winning cures so much, but Anderson hasn't done that yet at Arkansas. This kind of behavior, not letting kids get their transfer, or making it very tough to do so, gets around. Recruits, coaches, AAU guys ... they talk. If Arkansas and Anderson want to build a successful, long-term model, they can't prevent the team's best player from leaving.

As much as it stings now, they'll be better for it in the long run if they let Clarke leave.

Mike Anderson commits sin against coaching code

Mike Anderson commits sin against coaching code

Brent Benedict was a five-star OL recruit from Florida that committed to UGA. He had an injury and is now getting back to playing shape. He asked for his release and was immediately given a full release to transfer to ANY school, including a rival SEC school. This just shows that UGA is a classy program and Arkansas runs their athletics poorly.

Since: Mar 6, 2007

Posted on: June 20, 2011 9:39 pm

Mike Anderson commits sin against coaching code

That said, Anderson just granted Clarke his official release. Gee, do you think it would have shown actual leadership to have done this upon request as opposed to having all this negativity?

BAD MOVE.

Anderson actually informed the team on Friday that Clarke was no longer a member of the team. Anderson is not allowed to release players from scholorship, only the AD is. Long was out of town until today. Clarke went to the media and soiled himself now as the facts start to come out. Obviously Arkansas will not throw the kid under the bus and talk bad about him but expect a legit media source to expose the family especially the father that followed his son to Fayetteville and robbed a lot of people of money with his shooting academy. There is a reason he lost his job at that and rumor is some wrong doing was exposed so the family tucked tail and bolted.

Clarke is spoiled and lazy. He had asked for a release every year he was here but stayed because his father was raking in the doe at the All STar areana putting on shooting camps charging 75 to 100 an hour to rather niave parents who took a long time to catch on.

Since: Aug 11, 2008

Posted on: June 20, 2011 8:58 pm

Mike Anderson commits sin against coaching code

Zeke you obviously hate all of Arkansas' coaches. Do everyone a favor and go root for someone else. You could pick teams like the Royals, Kansas in football, the St. Louis Blues in hockey, the Chiefs in the NFL, and Missouri in basketball. They are all in your vicinity and their success equals your life successes I'm sure.

Since: Jun 3, 2011

Posted on: June 20, 2011 7:19 pm

Mike Anderson commits sin against coaching code

"I really think you only want to argue"

That would require an opponent with salient points.

Currently, you're lacking.

That said, Anderson just granted Clarke his official release. Gee, do you think it would have shown actual leadership to have done this upon request as opposed to having all this negativity?

BAD MOVE.

Since: Dec 3, 2007

Posted on: June 20, 2011 1:32 pm

Mike Anderson commits sin against coaching code

If anything Anderson is trying to teach a kid to honor his committment which is an example of good character.*spit take*

Since: Mar 6, 2007

Posted on: June 20, 2011 11:27 am

Mike Anderson commits sin against coaching code

Mike Anderson commits sin against coaching code

1. "Yes Richardson caused a lot of problems by thinking he deserved special treatment for being an African American and winning a National Championship."

Patently incorrect, if you review the necessary court documents. Richardson was denied privileges that others with his tenure and success had readily in hand: especially pertaining to cross-sport salary.

Are you sure you were ever in NWA? Richardson stopped recruiting, and coaching after UCLA beat them. He tryed to prove you couldn't win with Whites. Richardson drew a paycheck and negative recruited Arkansas while on the job. He did just enough to keep the money coming in.

2. "He can't do any worse then Heath or Pelphrey and he will at least get fans back in the stands"

Because there's nothing like taking a desperate tactical approach to a problem with strategic roots. I doubt he'll do better (and I like him!), ESPECIALLY this year. Weren't we supposed to be loaded? Not anymore, which is a HUGE failing and black mark. Call me in February...

Arkansas is loaded with true freshman, Pelphrey had zero talent on the team so its hard to be loaded. And its hard to win with 4 true freshman (5 if Ross would of qualified)

3. "Richardson and Broyles are both gone...people don't even remember what took place"

And yet you do: making my point because we haven't even played a game yet. The very first time that we lose a game due to poor fundamentals, bad freethrow shooting, lack of rebounding and/or otherwise because of a style of play that hasn't consistently won in >15 years? Question One will be "didn't we get rid of this guy?"

I remember because I was here and have not left. You ask anyone thats not from the area or not a fan and they don't remember. They do remember Richardson and the dominance of the 90's but not the lawsuit.

4. "The entire time Anderson has been on campus he has been working with the players and forming his schemes around Clarke."

Was that before or after Clarke INITIALLY requested release? Either way, it is -- again -- a short-sighted and tactical response to the bigger problem of folks (within their rights) determining they didn't desire to play for Mike Anderson. If Clarke was his only answer, he's not a very good coach.Clarke asked for a release last year and was not granted it , they talked him into staying. he asked for a release again before Anderson was hired and Long told him no, to wait until the coach was hired. When Anderson was hired he met with Clarke and his family and Clarke agreed to stay.

5. "They had to get rid of one scholorship so they granted Bryants release."

How very Petrino of Mike.

Petrino is playing by the rules and telling players if they come to the UA they are going to have to work, and if they don't work they won't get the scholorship. Why should the UA pay for a player that doesn't live up to his end of the bargain?

6. "I think the media and the Clarke family is making this a bigger deal then it really is."

Only if you believe that coaching and character shouldn't go hand-in-hand.

What is the character issue? If anything Anderson is trying to teach a kid to honor his committment which is an example of good character. Its easy to spin anything into a negative, but the bottom line is we don't know all the details and only know what the Clarke family is reporting to the media to try to get sympathy.

7. "anderson doesn't roll that way"

Really? Because the unecessary drama already smells and the honeymoon is tainted before a single tip. Of course, nobody saw that coming. Oh, wait...

because he refuses to release a player? two weeks from now no one will care, clarke is lazy and doesn't wnat to condition and play defense. I never thought he was that good anyway, but its all about numbers and losing him will create a bigger problem in numbers.

(sigh

I really think you only want to argue

Since: Jun 3, 2011

Posted on: June 20, 2011 11:01 am

Mike Anderson commits sin against coaching code

1. "Yes Richardson caused a lot of problems by thinking he deserved special treatment for being an African American and winning a National Championship."

Patently incorrect, if you review the necessary court documents. Richardson was denied privileges that others with his tenure and success had readily in hand: especially pertaining to cross-sport salary.

2. "He can't do any worse then Heath or Pelphrey and he will at least get fans back in the stands"

Because there's nothing like taking a desperate tactical approach to a problem with strategic roots. I doubt he'll do better (and I like him!), ESPECIALLY this year. Weren't we supposed to be loaded? Not anymore, which is a HUGE failing and black mark. Call me in February...

3. "Richardson and Broyles are both gone...people don't even remember what took place"

And yet you do: making my point because we haven't even played a game yet. The very first time that we lose a game due to poor fundamentals, bad freethrow shooting, lack of rebounding and/or otherwise because of a style of play that hasn't consistently won in >15 years? Question One will be "didn't we get rid of this guy?"

4. "The entire time Anderson has been on campus he has been working with the players and forming his schemes around Clarke."

Was that before or after Clarke INITIALLY requested release? Either way, it is -- again -- a short-sighted and tactical response to the bigger problem of folks (within their rights) determining they didn't desire to play for Mike Anderson. If Clarke was his only answer, he's not a very good coach.

5. "They had to get rid of one scholorship so they granted Bryants release."

How very Petrino of Mike.

6. "I think the media and the Clarke family is making this a bigger deal then it really is."

Only if you believe that coaching and character shouldn't go hand-in-hand.

7. "anderson doesn't roll that way"

Really? Because the unecessary drama already smells and the honeymoon is tainted before a single tip. Of course, nobody saw that coming. Oh, wait...

(sigh)

Since: Mar 6, 2007

Posted on: June 20, 2011 10:18 am

Mike Anderson commits sin against coaching code

I won't hold not being a fan against you but that would imply that you are woefully unfamiliar with the nuances involved during the past twenty years. As an alum, I was THERE during the pinnacle and maintain relationships within the area.

I am NWA now and was then. Yes Richardson caused a lot of problems by thinking he deserved special treatment for being an African American and winning a National Championship. His ego got him in trouble, BUT Mike Anderson took the high road and stayed out of the crossfire, at least in the media. Anderson was well liked when he was here before and well liked now.

Let's get some things straight:

1. Increased interest does NOT imply agreement with any hire. (Many are interested in watchng the potential train wreck.)

Your an idiot if you think Anderson was not the perfect hire. He can't do any worse then Heath or Pelphrey and he will at least get fans back in the stands and put Arkansas initially back on the radar nationally.

Again wrong in all aspects, Richardson and Broyles are both gone. Its totally different and most people don't even remember what took place its been so long and Arkansas basketball has fallen so far. Sure some old cogs remember and hold a grudge but they are so few it won't be relevent.

3. Anderson has immediately compounded the error by not granting an IMMEDIATE release to ANY player who requests one

Maybe so, but Clarke told him he was committed and would stay. The entire time Anderson has been on campus he has been working with the players and forming his schemes around Clarke. The kid has a responsibility to uphold his end of the deal just as the coach does. They had to get rid of one scholorship so they granted Bryants release. They wanted to take the NCAA penalty this year because they knew it was going to be a tough year with no talent except 4 true freshman. Losing Clarke will put Arkansas much further behind the eight ball in simple terms of numbers. Had Clarke said initially he wanted to leave Anderson could of gone out and picked up some other player or kept Peterson or Bryant. Peterson would of stayed because he would of seen more playing time. Anderson was honest with him and told him he would see very little time because of the depth at the guard position and the fact that Clarke will get 30-35 minutes a game.

I think the media and the Clarke family is making this a bigger deal then it really is. Long will meet with him today and get it all sorted out. Pelphrey couldn't get the players to work, so he didn't make them. anderson doesn't roll that way.

Since: Feb 7, 2008

Posted on: June 20, 2011 9:47 am

Mike Anderson commits sin against coaching code

I'm pretty sure Paterno wouldn't grant Bolden his release over at Penn St (football, but same concept). Why wasn't this article written for that?